Fitchburg State piles up 10 goals in blowout

The Fitchburg State University ice hockey team has been frustrated recently, going 0-3-1 in its last four games.

And with Framingham State University limping into the Wallace Civic Center with only two wins on the season, the Falcons knew Thursday night was the time to do damage.

The Falcons punished the visiting Rams, scoring eight times in the first two periods, and skated to a dominating 10-1 MASCAC win.

"We really needed to play a strong game," Fitchburg State 29-year coach Dean Fuller said. "The kids worked hard the whole time."

Ryan Connolly was the No. 1 star on the evening. The Fitchburg State freshman had an outstanding night with four goals and two assists. Connolly's plus-minus in the game was a whopping plus-7.

"He's a horse," Fuller said about his 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward. "He's a big, strong kid, he works hard and he's got some hands. I just see him getting better and better."

It was also a great night for the local FSU talent. Freshman John Celli (Leominster) and senior Joseph Caveney (Fitchburg) each had a goal and four assists, while senior Trevor Lawler (Fitchburg) added a goal.

"I've always tried to keep the good local players home," Fuller said. "Those guys are really top players. They love to play and they bring it every night. They've been a lot of fun to have on the team."

Former Fitchburg/Monty Tech star goalie Dan Finn, a sophomore, also got into the game and made three saves in the final 14 minutes.

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Even after an impressive victory, the attention quickly turned to FSU's next contest at home on Saturday against MASCAC foe Salem State at 4 p.m.

"It's a confidence-builder, but it wasn't the Montreal Canadiens we beat out there, either," Fuller said. "We've got to get focused on the top teams in this league and have a nice run in the last third of the league games and just be hot going into the tournament, and anything can happen."

After an impressive three-goal first period, the Falcons (7-10-2, 6-6-1) were even better in the second, scoring five times for a commanding 8-0 lead.

Celli got the goal-scoring frenzy started with a laser into the top corner of the net at 4:52. Less than a minute later, Connolly completed his hat trick, taking a nice pass from Caveney and firing in a one-timer from the far post. Celli also was credited with a helper.

The onslaught continued for Fitchburg. The Falcons potted back-to-back power-play tallies by Lawler and Derek Giansanti for a 7-0 lead. Thomas Carlow's goal at 16:26 finished off the second-period fireworks for the Falcons.

Fitchburg netminder Randy Wolcott (23 saves) wasn't tested much all night, but he turned in several quality saves in the second period, including rejecting Daniel Miressi's penalty-shot attempt early in the period.

Fitchburg has beaten the Rams (2-16-1, 0-12-1) -- 0-7-1 in their last eight games -- three times this season, 8-2, 6-3 and 10-1.

The Falcons completely dominated the opening period and led 3-0 after one.

It only took Fitchburg State 1:17 to find the back of the net, as Shawn Bradley's shot from the point was tipped by Connolly, who beat Framingham goalie Nick Cafrelli.

Just over four minutes later, the Falcons boosted the lead to 2-0. Kevin Holmes (goal, 2 assists) lit the lamp, assisted by Nat Rojas.

While the Rams had a hard time cracking the Falcons' defense, Fitchburg's offense kept peppering Cafrelli. And at 14:38, Fitchburg went up 3-0 on a pretty goal by Connolly. Caveney streaked down the right wing and waited until the last moment to dish off a perfect centering pass to Connolly for the one-timer tally.

Connolly and Caveney each scored in the third period. Daniel Roy's goal for Framingham State at 3:57 broke up Wolcott's shutout bid.

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